Sizing Up Symantec’s Corporate Social Responsibility

Symantec, the software and security company best known for its Norton internet security and antivirus software, released its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) report on Monday . For the uninitiated, CSR reports put a company's social and environmental objectives, not just their profit and revenue outlook, on the record. They are meant to encourage all businesses, no matter their size, to act in a people and planet friendly manner. In Europe, companies are required to report on such issues but not so in the U.S. Symantec began CSR reporting voluntarily in 2008. The company's latest environmental goals include: reduction of CO2 emissions company-wide by 15% by the end of fiscal year 2012, using 2008 as a baseline; and meeting LEED certification for existing, and new buildings, especially data centers.